Apparatus for producing metal bodies



Oct; 2', 194,5, R K. HOPKINS 85,989 I APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING HE'IAL BODIES Filed July 22, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet- 1 ROBERT K, HOPKINS INVENTOR ATTORNEY V Oct. 2, 1945. I R, K. HOPKINS 2,385,939

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING METAL BODIES Filed July 22, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Him :12 "7O I 52 250 Ski: 221750 I 1;

O y 54 40 n L l I :J 35 35 36 594; s9 "49 30 I 7 I i O U J44 4 ROBERT K. HOPKINS D XNVENTOR ATTORNEY FIG. BY I MXZWAQ I Patented Oct. 2, 1945 UNITED srArss APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING METAL nonms I I Robert K. Hopkins, New York, N. 1., asaignor to The M. W. Kellogg Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application m 22, 1942," SerialNo 451,879

' 15 Claims. (01. 22-90) 1 The invention relates to the production of --mayberolled or otherwise worked with minimum flux. For a disclosure of this type of operation reference may be had to my prior Patent No.

2,191,479, of February 9, 1940.

The major portion of thecost of the apparatus used commercially for the production of metal bodies by the method exemplified in my prior patent, above identified, is represented by the apparatus elements that supply the raw materials to the electric current discharge, supply the'electric current, control the electric current, etc., while the mold elements represent only a minor portion of the cost. Yet since the deposited metal must ,be cooled sufficiently to permitremoval from the 9 ing shrinkage defects conducted, and from which mold, the deposited metal must be removed from the mold and the mold prepared for the next deposition, it is the mold element primarily that determines the portion of the work day that the apparatus is not producing metal. Obviously, the 2 uct. Since operations for preventing pipes and other shrinkage defects must be carried out in the mold, the mold elements must be suchand so arranged that these operations do not increase the idle time of the metal producing elements of the apparatus.

In cases wherein the metal body removed from 40 the mold is converted into a final product by' working operations such as roiling, etc. the Proportion of metal rendered defective in the working operations is reflectedin thecost of'the flnal product. Substantial metal losses are not uncommon when ferrous alloys are rolled, due to the splitting of the ends of the metal along the line of roll and the excessive defamation, or fishtailing, of the ends of the metal body. These losses are sometimes soexcessive, as for instance when tool steel ingots are rolled,.that it is often necessary to forge the ingots 'toan intermediate product before rolling. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that the metal body as removed from the mold be in such form and condition that it provide a novel apparatus for-manufacturing blanket of protective flux, in which, the operation not producing metal is'reduced to a minimum,

to provide a mold arrangement of novel and aimcavity defining wall is cooled by the circulation the mold body beingsplit vertically and-the halves being supported for quick and easy movement into and out of mold forming position.

cavity defining wall is cooled by circulation of a heat exchange medium in contact therewith. the mold top being vertically split and being supare subject to aminimum of longitudinal splitting P TENT,- orrlcs loss. a p

It islthe primary object of this invention to consistently uniform semi-finished alloy bodies from raw materials by the discharge of electriccurrent through a gapsubmerged beneath a is carried out in such a manner and the apparatus is so constructed andarranged that the portion of the work-day during which the apparatus is the sound metal yield is a maximumand the alloy body produced is in such form and condition that, it can be subjected to working operations with a minimum loss of metal.

It is also an important object of this invention ple construction in which molten metal may be deposited and solidified, operations for preventthe solidified. metal body may be removed in a.

simple and eillcientmannerand with 'a minimum idle time of the apparatus used for depositing the molten metal. v

. It is also a primary object of this invention to provide a novel mold arrangement whose mold of a heatexchan'ge medlum'in contact therewith,

It is a further primary object of this invention to provide a novel mold top element whose mold ported so that its halves i quickly and easily be moved into the open position wherein they do not obstruct access to the mold space and into the closed position wherein they become a continuatlonofthemold. Q I

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel ingot of cast metal, and a novel method for its manufacture, which is entirely freefrom pipe and other shrinkage defects. which ingrainsizeandcrystalstructureiseomparable tocastmetal ofthesameanalysisthathasundergone working operations or prolonged heat treat ment for reducing the grain-sine, or both, and bothoi' the ends ofwhicharesoshaped thatthey or fish-tailing during working op rations.

The further objects and advantages of the inventloh will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention,

- taken with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a front view of an apparatus embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is' a front view, partly insection, of the mold arrangement,

Fig. 3 is a side view of the mold arrangement,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

' Fig. 5- is a fragmentary plan view, on an en-- larged scale, of a portion of the apparatus,

121g. 8 is an end view of the apparatus of Fig. 5, an

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view of the novel ingot of the invention.

The invention is of general application and may be successfully employed in the production of semi-finished metal bodies of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys. The invention probably finds its greatest use in the production of semi-finished bodies of ferrous alloys, especialtus also includes a non-consumable finishing electrode positioned to be easily inserted into the ly those alloys that contain comparatively large proportions of alloying elements such as chro- 'mium,' nickel, manganese, vanadium, tungsten,

molybdenum, silicon, colurnbium, aluminum and the like, alone or in combination; Metal bodies of the corrosion resistant alloys and the alloy tool steels are especially suited for production by the method and apparatus of the invention.

Themolten metal of the predetermined analysis required for the desired semi-finished alloy body is produced by subjecting raw materials containing the constituents of the alloy to the action of electric current discharg d throu h agap maintained beneath a protective depth offiux, or slag, which'serves' to protect the operation from the atmosphere and to remove impurities from. .or add desired materials, to, the molten metal. The raw materials are sup lied to the electric current discharge in independently controlled streams at rates adjusted to constantly supply the constituents in the proportions required to produce the desired analysis. The raw materials are converted intothe desired alloy substantially as supplied. A raw material, containing one or more of the constituents, is formed into and supplied as a hollow electrode which becomes a terminus for. the gap through which the electric current is discharged. Some or all of the remainder of the raw materials may be supelectric current may also. be discharged from the mold space after the metal producing operation is completed. A non-consumablev electrode may, if desired, be provided for each mold arrangement.

The novel mold arrangement includes a mold bottom element, a mold body element and a mold top element. The mold space defining walls of these elements are made of a metal of high heat conductivity and are provided with jackets for the circulation of a cooling medium. When metal bodies of high melting point metal, as the iron alloys, are produced copper, brass, bronze, and the like, are preferred for the mold cavity defining walls; water is usually the preferred cooling medium. The mold top and mold-body elements are split in a vertical plane and so supported' that they may be quickly and easily brought'into mold forming position on top of the mold bottom element and may quickly and easily be opened for removal of the metal body produced.

The moldbottom element includes a depression which forms the bottom of the mold cavity. This depression is of diminishing area in the direction of its bottom, at present an approximately hemispherical depression is preferred although conical and similar shapes may be used. The depression is shaped as stated so that the bottom end of the metal body produced can undergo workingbetween rolls with a minimum of fish-tailing and splitting; also, in a depression so shaped the.

molten metal level rises quickly at the' beginning of the operation and protects the wall of the depression from direct exposure to the electric current discharge.

The portion of the mold cavity in the top mold element approximates a bottle neck, or an hourglass, in shape so that the finishing operation may easily be carried out and the top end of the metal body may be of a shape to undergo working ends of the raw materials, supplied in the continuous solid form; some ofthe material may also be supplied through the flux.

' The operation is carried out in a mold that is provided with controllable cooling means. The heat input, the quantity of materials fused, and the heat removed through the mold are controlled as required to produce an alloy body of uniform desired analysis and uniform desired in: the metal producing operation.

This metal'producing operation is described in detail in my prior Patent No. 2,191,479 and is mployed inperforming my present invention.

between rolls, or the like, without. substantial cracking or fish-tailing.

The apparatus employed includes the apparatus elements for producing molten metal shown and described in my prior Patent No. 2,191,479. These elements and their operation and control will'not therefore be gone into in detail here.

The apparatus includes a support In upon which is mounted a truck I lfor movement thereon. A. bridge I! is carried on truck H and it in turn mounts a truck l3 for movement thereon. Truck l3 carries a vertical frame It fixed thereto. A frame is is mounted for vertical movement relative to frame It. Frame I5 carries electrode forming and feeding means It which forms strip l'l into hollow electrode l9 and feeds it into the mold. Mechanism i6 is driven by a variable speed motor which may be are controlled, as is common in the electric furnace art, to form and feed electrode l8 as required to maintain an electric current discharge from its end of constant characteristics; alternately the motor may be I'll!) t. a constant selected speed and the current of the discharge adjusted to. fuse the electrode at the rate fed. Electrode it passes througha" contact device is which is connected to one side or the electric current supply through cable 20. The other side oi the electric current supply is connected by the cable It tothe mold foriconvcnlence the electric current supply will be considered as carried by frame It. In practice the electric current supply will usually be at a remote point and contact device It and mold 21 connected directly to it by cables 20 and 2! respectively. Device It is'smail enough in size and its supports'are long enough to permit it to enter the mold space as required to properly guide electrode l8. a

lug-shims beneath the mold bottom element.

The topwall of element 44 is preferably made of a metal ofihigh heat conductivity such as copper, bronze, brass. etc., and includes a central depression'whichforms the bottom of the mold cavity. The depression is preferably hemispherical in shape,'although shapes approximating a Frame ll carries a plurality of metering de vices in housing 22. The metering devices are arranged to receive granular raw materials from hoppers, such as hoppers 23, 24 and 25, and feed them at constant but adjustable rates to tube 26 that leads into-hollow electrode It. The granular materials are thus led by electrode l8 into cone and similar shapes of diminishing cross section may also be used. The bottom wall of element It has a central tapped hole through.

which extends water, or other heat exchange medium, inlet pipe 45. The top end 'ofpipe 45 is preferably notchedgor otherwise castellatcd, and bears against the bottom of the hemispherical depression. The bottom wall of element 44 also includes a .baiiie It, shaped to approximate the depression in the top-wail, which assures contact of the heat exchange medium with all of mold 21 wherein the metal producing operation takes place. A mold arrangement 28' having a mold 21' is shown adjacent mold arrangement 28. These mold arrangements are identical.

the surface .of, the depression. A plurality of spaced tapped holes are provided in the bottom wall to receive outlet pipes 41 which may be manifolded .1 to lead the heat exchange med!um to a place of disposal or of preparation for further Mold arrangement 28, as best shown in Figs. 2

to 6, includes a pair of vertical supports 29 that are united as by welding, to frame members 30. Members Ill may form part of a fixed support. in which case truck II is moved as required to align circulation. A smallbleed line extends through the outer wall of mold bottom element 44 to evacuate any .air that may tend to collect in the top of the heat exchange circulation space and to indicate the flow of heat exchange medium electrode II with first one mold and then the other. or members It may form part of a mov- II on one support 29 to thecorresnonding'angle piece on the other support 2!. Blocks 88 are positioned beneath the endsof bars 3!. Blocks II have tapped holes therein into which bolts 33 are screwed for fixing bars 35 relative to angle pieces II. Each block ll is alsoprovided with a threaded hole in which screws stud 31. A pin ll fixes stud II in position in block it. Stud 31 extends through a hole in support is, nuts are provided on stud l! on each side or, support 2!.

. At the ends of bars 1' are small blocks I! having tapped holes through which pass adjustment screws ll whose ends are adapted to bear against the rides oi angle pieces Ii. A nut is provided for lockingeach screw in position. By means oi studs 31, and the nuts thereon, and screws ll,

andthe nuts thereon, the position oi bars 3! may be adjusted relative to supports 29. Bolts It serve to lock bars II in their positions of adjustment. Since, as will be apparent hereinafter, the body and top elements of mold 11 are movable with bars 3|, the adjustment means just' described, serve for accurately aligning the axis of these mold elements with electrode through said space. g g 1 Bars 48 pass through holes in bars 35 which serve as bearings in which bars ll may be rotated.

the bearing surface is increased as by bushings. 1 Bars 48 also pass through holes in the ends of I spaced pairs of links Bl. The links of each pair are united as .by small metal. blocks welded orscrewed thereto. Bars 48 also pass through holes in flat bars ll;'ilat bars ii are fixed to bars I.

as by set screws 82. Vertical pieces ll are joined,

as by welding, to bars ii to form a frame swineable with bars "about the holes in bars 35. To the top and bottom bars II are bolted cars 54 l which extend fromthe halves of the body portion lb of the mold. I Body portion 55 is formed of two halves which when in the closed. position, as shown, meet in a a vertical plane to form an elongated cylindrical mold space. Each oi the halves of bodyporticn 55 includes a semi-cylindrical inner wall It of a I metal of high heat conductivity such as copper,

- brass, bronze, etc., and a wall I! spaced therefrom to form a jacket through which the heat exchange the flanges and abaille It is provided to assure the heat exchange medium reaching thevery end of the suriace otwallit,

. I Adjacent the bottom ends of menrers 20 areattached. as by welding, angle members 42 upon' ,which is supported a plate 0, having a central hole therein. Mold bottom element 44 is positioned on plate 4.3 and is bolted to member. 42

by bolts that also pass through plate 43. The bolt holes in plate ll and mold bottom element N are'preferably slotted to allowfor adjust? ment of the position of mold bottom element medium] is circulated. Ears ll extend from wall '1: two ears are shown but a greater number may be used. Each end of each half of the body por tion is enlarged to form halves 91' a flange. The

bottom walls of the halves include a recess into which iltsthe top-flange of bottom-portion' u, by this arrangement easy and accurate alignment or the portions and a metal tight joint betweenthem can be quickly secured. The jacket is enlarged at Each half or the flange is provided with tapped holes, two'ajre shown. which receive metal bends It. The bottom bends ll form the heat exchange medium outlets while the top -bends ll form the heatexchangemedium inlets. Hie heat exchange medium flows from bottom bends 8 through flexible tubing II to a manifold to which pipe ll, the

. heat exchange medium inlet to mold bottom element N, is connected. The top bends" are connectedthrough' flexible tubing II to the outlet bends l of mold top element I. Small bleed ll. Angular adjustment may be secured by plac-.

4 lines extend through the upperenlargement of tion.

the outer walls of each of the halves of body portion 55 to evacuate any air that may collect in the topof the jackets and to indicate the flow of heat exchange medium therethrough.

Mold top 6| is also made up of a pair of halves;

tion 55. The inner wall of each of the halves is made of a metal of high heat conductivity such as copper, brass, bronze, etc.: this wallis so shaped that when the halves are in the closed position the mold space defined approximates an hourglass or bottleneck, in shape. The outer wall 55 is spaced from wall 52 to provide a jacket for the circulation of the heat exchange medium. A pair of bosses, spaced from each other, are found at the top and at thebottom of each of the halves. These bosses have tapped holeswhich receive metal bends 59. The front four bends 59 are conuntil the free end of the right hand crank touches the stop on its support bracket 58; by this arrangementunwanted movement to the down these halves when in the closed position meet in I 'the same vertical plane as the halves of body porposition is made impossible.

In preparing for the metal producing operation mold arrangement 28 is positioned beneath electrode 15, by moving truck Ii, when the mold tact device I!) to enter the mold space in the body nected by flexible tubing 50 to the heat exchange medium supply and are the heat exchange medium inlets; the four back bends 59 are the heat exchange medium outlets and are connected by flex-- ible tubing 60 to the top bends'59, the inlets. of the body portion 46. Each of the halves is provided with a small bleed line so that air may be evacuated and the flow of the heat exchange medium may be observed.

Each of the halves has an opening in wall 53. Each opening isclosed by a plate 54 to which is attached a bar '65. Bars-55 have holes at one end through which pass bars 58. vA pair of links portion. The alignment of the electrode l8 and the mold cavity is checked and if it is not correct bars 35 are moved as required to produce the desired alignment. I

The metal producing elements of the apparatus having been set and adjusted as required to produce the metal of desired analysis; as set forth at length in my prior Patent No. 2,191,479,

a quantity of the raw materials, in sub-divided form and in the proportions required to produce 50 straddle bars 65. A set-collar 55.15 provided on each bar 48 belowthe bottom link 59 so that bars 65, and the halves of-top portion 5| may be raised bylraising bars 48; The weight of the halves of body portion 5| will cause bars 55 to follow the downward movement of bars 48.

To each support 29 is bolted a bracket 86 which carries a forked bearing piece for the fulcrum pin of a bell-crank 81.. Each bell-crank 61 has afree and to which is preferably attached -a handle, not shown, for actuating the crank. The other end of each bell-crank is forked and carries a pin upon which long links 58 and short link 59 are pivoted. Long links" unite cranks 51; a link 58 is positioned on each side of bars 58- The other ends of links 88 arepivoted on pins carried at the ends of long links 110. A

. tion 55 onto bottom portion 55 so that the mold may be made ready for the nretal casting op ration, cranks 51 are moved to the dotted line posi- This movement is affected by moving 'link' 10 is positioned at each side of bars ll.

the desired metal, is placed in the depression in bottom element 45. The quantity of raw materials should be such that it will be completely fused in the initial stages of themperation and will quickly provide a depth of molten metal sufflcient to protect the wall of, the depression from direct contact with the electric current discharge. An arc starter, such as a wad of steel wool, is placed in the end of the electrode and frame 15 lowered to enter contact device I! the proper distance into the mold cavity. The electrode is fed until the arc'starier is in contact with the subdivided raw materials. A proper quantity of flux, or slag, is then placed in the mold. The heat exchange inlet is opened to start the circulation through the jackets; it is to be noted that since the heat exchange medium flows from the top element down through the body element and, then through the bottom element 8 counter current vflow is established and the coldest heat exchange medium will contact .the hottest portion of the mold. The various electric circuits are then closed and the operation begun.

The initial surge of current destroys the arc starter to establish a gap between-the end of the electrode and the subdivided raw materials, these rapidly fuse to provide a pool of molten metal of sufllcient depth to protect the wall of the de- Dression. The fusion ofthe electrode and the raw materials supplied through it to the heat of the discharge causes the level of the molten metal to rise in the mold cavity. By proper control of the operation conditions the metal produced is either, or-both, of the cranks as links 55 cause them to move in unison. As cranks 5'| move links 55 rotate to the left thus moving links 15 'down- 1 wardly' as these links are restrained-against substantial longitudinal movement by bars 55. To "raise body portion 55 oil! bottom portion 54 the cranks are moved'from the dotted'to the solid solidified progressively, and the flux and a suf-.

flcient depth of molten metal are maintained at the necessary temperaturesto assure production of homogeneous, highly refined, clean metal of fine grain, and high quality. As the molten flux approaches the top of body portion 55, and con-,

tact device I! is above top element 5|, the halves of top element 5| are brought together by moveline position. It is to be noted that in the solid line position the pivot pins are not aligned and ment ofbars 55. The halves are kept in this pooltion as bypassing rod 15 through bars 55 and level of themblten flux has risen to the level in a the bottleneck cavityo 'that is required a the metal body being produced the metal produc-' ing operation is stopped; the circulation of the heat exchange medium is continued. The metal,

producing apparatus is then moved to mold ar.

rangement 28', or it the metal producing appaquently develop in the ends oi. a metal body undergoing working are eliminated. The surface body 18 is free from defects and is 0! such ratus is fixed in position, mold arrangement "is movedaway and mold arrangement 28' moved beneath the electrode and the operation begun in mold 21'.

After electrode l8 has been removed from the mold cavity otmold arrangement 28 indestructible electrode I8 is moved into this mold cavity. Electrode I8 is supported so. that it can be quickly positioned, in the mold cavity. For example, electrode I6 is shown as clamped on an arm hinged on support 11 so that it can be swung from one to the other of the mold cavities and can be raised or lowered as required; if the mold arrangements are movable the arm supporting electrode 16 may be fixed or, one such electrode provided for each mold arrangement. Electrode -16 includes a hollow body portion to ,whichis connected, as by a screwjoint, a discharge tip made 01 copper or other metal of high heat conductivity. A valved line leads heat exchange medium to the upper end of the body portion, a tube within the body portion forms a'continuation of the inlet line and terminates a short distance from mama so that the heat exchange medium is jetted against the tip. The heat exchange medium is removed through an outlet line at the upper end of the body portion. D. C. current is preferably employed, the negative side being connected by cable to the body portion of electrode .16 and the positive sldebe'ing connected directly by cable 2]. or through 'the a, ground to mold-bottom 44. It is to be noted here of theheat exchange medium is continued. The heat is' supplied at such a rate that while the.

solidification of the molten metal goes forward a pool of molten metal of constantly diminishing size is maintained until solidification is complete so that pipes andother shrinkage defects cannot develop. When solidificationis complete electrode 16 is removed and the cooling continued until the flux has solidified.

'- Rods 14 and 15 are then removed and the opened and metalbody 18 removed. The mold elements may then halves of the mold. elements high quality that grinding or other preparation prior to rolling or other work deformation is unnecessary. The sectioning ot a large numbers! metal bodies 18 or various analyses and the ex-.

amination oi worked products produced from others failed to show evidence of the existence-oi pipes, or other subsurface shrinkage defects. Chemical analysis of samples taken irom different locations of the same body seldom show am substantial differences and attest the homogeneity of the metal of the body. Miscroscopic and.

macrographic examinations further substantiate this and reveal'the fine-grain structure of the body. In general, the grain structure of body II, as removed from the mold. is as line as cast metal 01' the same composition that has undergone prolonged heat treatment for refining the gram size or has been subjected to considerable working. The fineness of grain and the superior qualities of the metal or body II are iurther evidenced by the ease with which it can be rolled derormed and the extremelysmall metal losses that result. Analyses that are considered delicate and difilcult to roll when cast in the conventional way can be rolled without special treatment when produced by the present invention. Thus,fhign speed tool steels, which when produced in the conventional way must be handled gingerly and always require 0088 118 before rolling, can

be rolled directly when produced invention.

easily be cleaned after which they are again closed and ready for the next metal body producing operation.

Metal body 18 is made up of a body portion, shown as of substantially constantcross-section but which may have any ofthe cross-sections usual with ingots, and ends of diminishing crosssection, the bottom end approximates a hemisphere while the top end approximates a spherdiminishing ical' segment. a By reason of the tom'element, said body element belng made up of complementary halves adapted to meetin a vertical plane to form the body portion or the a cross-section, of the ends oi." the metal body'it' may be rolled or otherwise work deformed without spreading, or'ilsh-tailing the metal at the ends. Thus, thelongitudinal cracks which tre-.

I claim:

1. A mold arrangement including a mold body element and a mold top element. said body element being [made up of complementary halves adapted to meet in a vertical plane to form the body portion of th mold cavity, each of said halves having an'inner wall, an outer wall spaced from-said inner wall, andlmeans uniting said walls and enclosing the space between them to provide a jacket for the circulation of a heat exchange medium, said top element being positioned on said body element and being made up of complementary halves adapted to meet in said vertical plane to form the top portion of the mold cavity, each of said halves of said top element having aninner wall, an outer wall spaced from. said inner wall and means uniting said walls andenclosing the space between them to provide a jacket for the circulation of the heat exchange medium,. said inner walls of the halves of said top element being so shaped that the top portion or the mold cavity approximates an hour-glass in shape, means supporting the halves of said body element and the halves of said top element for movement into and out of mold cavity forming position, said halves of said top element being independently movable, and means for locking said halves in mold forming position. H

2. A mold arrangement including a mold body element, amold top. element. and a mold botmold cavity, each. of said halves having an inner wall, an outer wall spaced from said inner wall,

and means uniting said walls and enclosing space between themto provide a Jacket for the circulation or a heat. exchange medium, said-top element being positioned on said body element by the present .an outer wall spaced from said inner wall and means uniting said walls and enclosing the space between them to provide a jacket for circulation of the heat exchange medium, said inner walls of the halves of said top element being shaped to form the top portion of the mold cavity into a shape approximating that 0! an hour-glass,- said mold bottom element being made up of a mold cavity defining wall and a wall spaced therefrom to provide a jacket for circulation of the heat exchange medium, means supporting said mold elements, said supporting means including means for moving the halves of said .body element and the halves of said. top element into and out of mold cavity forming position, the' halves of said top element being independently movable,'and means for raising and lowering said body element and said top element as a unit 01! and on said bottom element.

3. A mold. arrangement including a mold body element formed of complementary halves adaptt ed to meet in a vertical plane to form the body portion of the ,mold cavity, a pair oispaced support members, means mounting each 01! said support members for swinging movement about a substantially vertical line, the lines about which 80' said support members are adapted to swing being parallel, one of said halves being supported by one of said support members for movement therewith and the other of said halves being supported by the other of said support members for movement therewith whereby said halves may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position, means for locking said support members together to maintain said halves in mold cavity forming position, and means for moving rsaid a mounting means to alter the position and the inclination of the lines about which said support members are. adapted to swing.

4. A mold arrangement including a mold body element formed of complementary halves adapted to meet in a vertical plane to form the body portion 0! the mold cavity, a mold bottom element adapted to close the bottom of the mold cavity, a pair oi spaced support members, means mounting each oisaid support members i'or swinging movement about a substantially vertical line, .the lines about which said support members are adapted to swing being parallel, one of said halves-being supported by one of said support members for movement therewith and F the other of said halves being supported by the other of said support members for movement therewith whereby said halves may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position,

means supporting said mold bottom element bem neath the mold cavity forming position of said halves, and means for lowering and raising said support-members as a unit to position said mold body element on said mold bottom element and a to raise mold body element on said mold bottom element. I a F 5. A mold arrangement including a mold body element formed of complementary halves adaptedto meet in a vertical plane to form the body portion of the mold cavity, a mold bottom element aTdapted to close the bottom of the mold cavity, a pair of spaced support members, ms

V mounting each of said support members for ing movement about a substantially vertical line, the lines about which said suppo t members are adapted to swing being parallel, one of said halves being supported by one or said supportmembers for movement therewith and the other of said .halves being supported, by the other of said support members for movement therewith whereby said halves may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position, means supporting said mold bottom element beneath the mold cavity forming position of said halves, means for lowerin; and raising said support members as a unit to position said mold bod'y element on said mold bottom element and to raise said mold body element oil said mold bottom element, and means formoving said mounting means to alter the position and the inclination of the lines about which said members are adapted to swing as ,a unit.

6. A mold rrangement including a mold body element-formed of complementary halves adapted to meet in a vertical plane to form the body portion of the mold cavity, a mold top element formed of complementary halves adapted to meet in said vertical plane to form the top portion of said mold cavity, a pair oi spaced support members, means mounting each of said support members for swinging'movement about a substantially .vertical line, the lines about whichsaid support members are adapted to swing being parallel, one of the halves of said mold body element being supported by one of said support members for movement therewith and the other of the halves of said mold body element being supported by the other of said support members {or movement therewith whereby the halves of said mold body element may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position, and a support means mounted on each or said support members for swinging movement relative thereto, each 01' said support means being swingable relative to its support member about said substantially vertical line, one oi the halves of said mold top element being supported by one or said support means for movement therewith and the other 01 the halves of said mold top element being supported by the other of said support means for movement therewith whereby the halves of said mold top element may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position independently or said mold body element.

'l. A mold arrangement including a mold body element a formed of complementaary halves adapted to math a vertical plane to form the body portion of the mold cavity, a mold top element formed of complementary halves adapted to meet in said vertical plane to form'the top portion of, said mold cavity, a mold bottom element adapted toclose the bottom of said mold cavity, a pair of spaced support members,- means mounting. each of said support'members i'or swinging movement abouta substantially vertical line, the lines about which. said support members are adapted to swing being parallel, one oi the halves of said mold elementbeing supported by one o! support members for movement therewith thei' othergoi' the halves of said mold M's-e ement s bsc es: moth r. r d

erormovfementtherewlth whereby' the halves eor mold element maybe manna 1.1 51 an s p iassaoeo said supportmeans for movement therewith and the other of the halves of said mold" top element being supported by the-other of said support means for movement therewith whereby the halves of said mold top element may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position independently of said mold body element, means supporting said mold bottom element beneath the mold cavity forming position of the halves of said mold body element, and means for lowering and tion said mold body element on said mold bottom element and to raise said mold body element oi!- said mold bottom element.

8. A mold arrangement including a mold body element made up of complementary halves element being supported by one of said framemembers and the other of the halves of said mold body element being supported by the other of said frame members whereby said halves of said mold body element may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position, means for moving each of said horizontal members in its horizonal plane to adjust the position thereof, and means for look ing each of said horizontal members to said vertical support in' any position of adjustment.

9. \A mold arrangement including a mold body 1 element made up of complementary halves zontal member spanning each pair of said spaced horizontally aligned members and extending therebeyond, screw means at each end of each of P raising said support members as a unit to posisaid elongated horizontal members adapted to bear a ainst the adjacent horizontal member whereby ,by adjustment of said screw means said elongated horizontal members may be moved longitudinally,

a block member beneath each of said spaced horizontally aligned members, screw means of ad-' lustable length connected to each of said block members and extending from said support where- 'by said block members maybe moved laterally relative to their respective elongated horizontal members by adjustment of said screw means, means for releasably clamping each endof eachof said elongated horizontal members between their respective blockmembers and horizontally aligned members, said elongated horizontal members each having a pair-of spaced holes therethrough, the holes in one of said elongated horizontal members being vertically aligned with the holes in the other of said elongated ,horizontal members, an elongated cylindrical member journailed for rotation in each line of said vertically aligned holes, and a frame member united to each of said cylindrical members and swingably movable therewith, said halves of said mold body .element being mounted for movement with said frame members whereby said halves of said mold body element may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position.

11. 'A mold arrangement including a mold body 1 element made up of complementary halves adapted to meet in a vertical plane to form the bodyportion of the mold cavity, a mold top element made up of complementary halves adapted to meet in saidvertical plane to form the top poradaptedto meet in a vertical plane to form the body portion of the mold cavity, a vertical sup-- port, an elongated horizontal member carried by said support adjacent the upper end thereof, a second elongated horizontal member carried by said support adjacent the lower end thereof, said horizontal members each having a pair of spaced holes therethrough, the holes in one of said elongated horizontal members beingvertically aligned with the holes in the other of said elongated horizontal members, an elongated cylindrical member journalled for rotation in each line of said vertically aligned holes, a frame member united to each of said cylindrical members and swingably movable therewith,=said halves of said mold body .element being mounted for movement with said frames whereby said halves of said m'old'body element may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position, means" at the ends of said elongated horizontal members for moving said elongated horizontal members longitudinally in their respective horizontal planes, means adjacent each end of each of said horizontal members for moving said horizonal members transversely .in their respective planes, and releasable means for rigidly uniting said horizontal members to said support,-

' said mold top element being mounted for move.- ment with said support members whereby said a 10. A mold arrangement including a mold body 7 element made up of complementary halves adapted-to meet in a vertical plane to form the body portion of the mold cavity, a vertical support, a

tending from said support adjacent the upper end-thereof, mseoond pair oi. spaced horizontally aligned members extending from said support adpair of spaced horizontally aligned members extion of the mold cavity, a vertical support, an

elongated horizontal member carried by said support adjacent the upper end thereof, a second elongated horizontal member carried by said support adjacent the lower end thereof, said horizontal members each having a pair of spaced holes therethrough, the holes in one of said elongated horizontal members being vertically aligned with the holes in the other of said elongated horizontal members, an elongated cylindrical'inember journalled for rotation in each line of said vertically aligned holes, a frame member united to each of said cylindrical members and swingably movable therewith, said halves of said mold body -element being mounted for movement with said frames whereby said halves of said mold body element may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position, a support member mounted for rotation adjacent the upper end of each of said elongated cylindrical members, said halves; of

halves of said mold top element may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position independently of the halves of said mold, body element, means at the ends of said elongated horizontal members for moving said elongated horizontal members longitudinally, means adja- 'cent each end of said'elongated horizontal members for moving said elongated horizontal.mem-.

bers transversely, and releasable means for rigidly;

uniting said elongated horizontal members to said support. 4

12. A mold arrangement including a-mold body 7 element made up of complementary halves adapted to meet in a vertical plane toform the body iacent the lower end thereof, an elongated liori- 7 p tion of the mold cavity, a vertical support,

support-adjacent the upper and the lower ends thereof, each of said horizontal members having a pair of spaced holes therein, the holes in said horizontal members being vertically aligned, an elongated cylindrical member journalled for rotation in each line of said vertically aligned holes, a frame member carried by each of said cylindrical members for rotary movement therewith, one of the halves of said mold body element being supported by one of said frame members and the other of the halves of said mold body element being supported by the other of said frame members whereby said halves of said mold body ele-' ment may be swung into and out of mold cavity forming position, means for moving each of said horizontal members in its horizontal plane to adjust the position therein, means for locking each of said horizontal members to said support in any position of adjustment, and means carried by said support for supporting said elongated cylindrical members.

13. A mold arrangement including a mold body element made up of complementary halves adapted to meet in a vertical plane to form the body portion of the mold cavity, a mold bottom element adapted to close the bottom of said mold ber carried by each of said cylindrical members for movement therewith, one of the halves of said mold body element being supported by one of said frame members and the other of the by the other of said frame members whereby said halves of said mold body element may be swung into and out of ;mold cavity forming position, means for adjusting the position of each of said horizontal members in its horizontal plane to adjust the. inclination and position of said cylin- \halves of said mold body element being supported drical members, means for locking said horizontal members to said vertical support in any position of adjustment, and means carried by said support for raising and lowering said cylindrical members whereby said mold body element may be raised from and lowered onto said mold bottom I I element.

'14-, "A mold arrangement including a mold body element made up of omplementary halves adapt-'- ed to meet in a veriical plane to form the body portion of the mold cavity, a mold bottom element adapted to close the bottom of said mold body element, a vertical support, elongated horizontal members carried by said support adjacent the upper and the lower, ends thereof, each of said horizontal members having a pair of spaced holes therein, the holes in said horizontal members being vertically alignedan elongated cylindrical member journalled for rotation in each line or said vertically aligned holes, said cylindrical members being vertically movable along said lines of aligned holes, a frame member united to each of said cylindrical members for movement therewith, the halves of said mold body element being united to said frame members assesses said vertical support and straddling said elon-- gated cylindrical members, a bell-crank mounted for movement on each of said support elements. elongated horizontal links means connected to one end of each or said bell-cranks to transmit the movement of one bell-crank to the other. a short link means connected to each of said ends of said bellscranks, a second elongated horizontal link means connected to said short link means, and means carried by said second elongated horizontal link means adapted to support said frame members and said cylindrical members whereby by movement of said cranks said cylindrical members, said frame members and saidmold body element may be raised or lowered to position said mold body element onsaid bottom element and to raise said mold body element oi! said mold bottom element.

15. A mold arrangement including a vertical support, elongated horizontal members carried by said vertical support adjacent the upper and the lower ends thereof adiustable relative thereto, each of said elongated horizontal members having a pair of spaced holes therein, the holes 'in said elongated horizontal members being venticaliy aligned, an elongated cylindrical member Journalled for rotation in each line of said vertically aligned holes, said elongated cylindrical members being vertically movable along said line of aligned holes, a pair of spaced frame members, each of said frame members including horizontal members united to one of said elongated cylindrical members, said horizontal members of one frame being horizontally aligned with said horizontal members of the other frame, link members having holes at their ends through which end cylindrical members pass positioned on each side of each aligned pair of said horizontal memhere, means uniting the link members or each pair or link members, a pair of horizonta ly ali ned support elements extending from said vert support and straddling said elongated cylin cal members. a bell-crank mounted for oscillatory movement on each of said smrport elements, a peir of parallel elongated links through which said elongated cylindrical members are adapted to pass, one end or each or said parallel elongated links being pivoted to one end of one of said bell-cranks, the other end oi. eachoi said parallel elongated links being pivoted to the same end of the other or said bell-cranks, a short .link pivoted to the end of each of said bell-cranks to which said parallel elongated links are pivoted, a second pair oi. parallel elongated links through which said elongated cylindrical members are adaptedtopass,oneendofeachlinksoi'said second pair of parallel elongated links being pivoted to one of said short links, and means united to said secondpair of parallel elongated links having holes therethrough through which said elongated cylindrical members pass whereby when said bell-cranks are actuated said second pair of parallel elongated links are restrained eEainst substantial horizontal movement, said second pairof parallel elongated links serving to carry said elongated cylindrical members and "saidframemembers.

ROBERT K. HOPKINS. 

